Binder



H. T. ADAMS June 16, 1941.

BINDER,

Filed Feb. 29, 1940 Fgj Patented June 10, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEY i j *2,244,663 i n 1 BINDER Hery 'r. Adams, chicago, m. applicati@ February 29, 1940, serial No. 321,559

2 Claims.

This invention relates toa binder which may be attached to covers or other surfaces for releasably securing perforated sheets thereto.

An object of the present invention is to provide extremely simple parts by which sheets may be secured to a cover, book or other surfaces. A further object is to provide a binder equipped with a large number of prongs equipped to receive a large number of sheets, the sheets being readily removed as desired and new sheets inserted. A further object is to provide a mechanism of extremely simple and inexpensive structure by which sheets may be firmly supported within a book or other object but released therefrom for the removal or the insertion of sheets, the mechanism consisting of two simple parts equipped with integral interlocking members. Other specic objects and advantages will appear as the specication proceeds.

'I'he invention is illustrated in a preferred embodiment, by the accompanying drawing, in Which- Figure 1 is a broken plan view of a cover equipped with a binder embodying my invention; Fig. 2, an enlarged transverse sectional view, the section being taken as indicated at line 2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3, an enlarged plan view of the binder parts shown with the paper sheets removed but with the parts shown in interlocking engagement; Fig. 4, a View similar to Fig. 3 but with the parts in unlocked position; and Fig. 5, a broken plan view of the metal back strip employed.

In the illustration given, A designates a cover; B, a metal back secured to the cover; and C, a sheet engaging member.

The cover A may be of any suitable structure. It does not per se form a part of the present invention. The binder, which comprises parts B and C may be secured to any suitable book, cover or any other surface to which the sheets are to be attached. Further, if desired, the binder parts B and C need not be secured to any surfaces but may Ibe employed separately for securing or binding together a number of perforated sheets.

The metal back strip B consists of a single strip of sheet metal having one end thereof curved upwardly slightly as indicated by the numeral I0. The strip is secured by rivets or other fasteners to the cover A. Along one side, the back strip B is provided with upwardly and inwardly facing tongues I I. On the other side and adjacent the curved surface II) are tongues I2 which face toward tongues II but which are spaced intermediate an opposite pair of tongues II.

The prong carrying member or sheet engaging member C preferably comprises a retaining flange portion I3 having a central channel I4 for reinforcing the same and also for providing a space for the fastener therebelow. The retaining flange is provided with a rear edge portion I5 adapted to engage the tongues II. From the front portion of the flange I4 extend a plurality of spaced prongs I6 curved in the form illustrated in Fig. 2. Between the prongs I6 extend arcuate locking flanges I'I. When the member C is in interlocking engagement with the metal back strip B, the anges I1 are in engagement with the tongues I2, as shown more clearly in Fig. 3. When the member C is released from locking position, the locking lianges I1 extend to one side of the tongues I2, as shown more clearly in Fig. 4.

In theparticular illustration given, the member C is provided at its ends with short vertical flanges I8 which assist in the lateral movement of the member C to locking and unlocking positions. The flanges may, however, be omitted.

When the member C is released from engagement with the back strip B, it may be lifted free thereof and the prongs I6 provide between them and the anges I'I an open space through which the perforated leaves I9 may be passed, the prongs IB being passed through the perforations of the leaves.

Operation In the operation of the device, the prong carrying member C, which is released from engagement with the metal back B is supported so that a group of perforated sheets may be inserted upon the free ends of the prongs with the prongs eX- tending through the perforations, as illustrated in Fig. 2. The member C is then placed upon the back plate B with the ange I5 engaging the tongues II and with the locking anges I1 disposed between the tongues I2, as illustrated in Fig. 4. The member C is then moved laterally of the cover A so as to bring the flanges I1l under the tongues I2, thus locking the member C securely to the backing B, as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3. It will be noted that the forward curved edge I0 of the back plate B closes the lower ends of the prongs I5 and protects the same. Outward movement or tension upon the prongs I6 causes them to engage the curved plate portion I0 whereby they are maintained in confining position.

When it is desired to remove sheets or to insert new sheets, the member C is pressed laterally It win be understood that the prongs le may have their ends extend outside of the curved ange I0 if desired. Also, the tongues may be reversed With respect to the Ydifferent parts so as to provide the same interlocking effect.

While in the foregoing spe-cication, I have set forth, for the purpose of illustration, certain specific details or structure, it will be understood that such structure may be modified and the working parts thereof reversed to a substantial 20 extent, Without departing from the Yspirit of my invention.

I claim:

l. In a binder, a metal back strip provided with spaced rows of locking tongues, a prong carrying member equipped with anges adapted to engage said rows of tongues, prongs carried by said member and having their free ends terminating adjacent an edge of said back strip, said last-mentioned edge of said back strip being lcurved so as to lie adjacent the free ends of said prongs.

2. In a binder, a back strip equipped with spaced rows of locking tongues and with an ar- I cuate edge, a prong member equipped with flanges releasably engaging said tongues, and

' arcuate prongs carried by said prong member and having free ends terminating inside and adjacent the arcuate edge of said backstrip.

HENRY T. ADAMS. 

